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Misty Isle #6
Death at Neist Point
Sticks and stones may break your bones… but your name is going to kill you…
When the body of a missing teenager is discovered at Neist Point close to the famous lighthouse, battered and bruised, D.I. Duncan McAdam and his small team must determine how he died.
The Skye Ball, an annual event steeped in tradition where the next generation of the great and the good meet to celebrate their coming of age and present themselves to one another, has always been something of a spectacle for the islanders. The two-day affair culminates in a glitzy dinner followed by a night of Scottish Country Dancing where the young female attendees have a strict plan of who they will be introduced to, who they will dance with and to which song. The band plays almost until dawn when the gathered teenagers throw caution to the wind and leap together into Portree Harbour, a fitting end to mark their journey from adolescence into adulthood.
This year, a dozen teenagers go into the water... only one fails to resurface.
The rescue teams scour the bay in vain, searching for the missing boy; the last surviving heir to a Highland land baron dying from a terminal illness. With those who have vested interests in both the boy's survival - and indeed his untimely death - circling the scene, laying down markers of their own, how will Duncan determine whether the disappearance is a tragic accident or something much more sinister?
When the body of a missing teenager is discovered at Neist Point close to the famous lighthouse, battered and bruised, D.I. Duncan McAdam and his small team must determine how he died.
The Skye Ball, an annual event steeped in tradition where the next generation of the great and the good meet to celebrate their coming of age and present themselves to one another, has always been something of a spectacle for the islanders. The two-day affair culminates in a glitzy dinner followed by a night of Scottish Country Dancing where the young female attendees have a strict plan of who they will be introduced to, who they will dance with and to which song. The band plays almost until dawn when the gathered teenagers throw caution to the wind and leap together into Portree Harbour, a fitting end to mark their journey from adolescence into adulthood.
This year, a dozen teenagers go into the water... only one fails to resurface.
The rescue teams scour the bay in vain, searching for the missing boy; the last surviving heir to a Highland land baron dying from a terminal illness. With those who have vested interests in both the boy's survival - and indeed his untimely death - circling the scene, laying down markers of their own, how will Duncan determine whether the disappearance is a tragic accident or something much more sinister?
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 18, 2025
996 people are currently reading
1960 people want to read
About the author
J.M. Dalgliesh
39 books885 followersJason Dalgliesh was born on the south coast of England and grew up in Hampshire, UK. He has worked in the power transmission industry, the retail sector, call centres and as a night-owl in a bakery. His greatest challenge of all is ongoing, as a stay at home parent.
He is presently writing the Dark Yorkshire crime-series, featuring DI Nathaniel Caslin.
The novels are set in Yorkshire, England. The medieval City of York is Caslin's home town and the plot lines take in some of the UK's most rugged and beautiful landscapes, from the windswept North Sea coastline and across the stunning North York Moors.
Penned in the style of the Crime Noir genre, Caslin is a deep character, as flawed as he is brilliant, battling his own demons as much as those he is pitted against. Readers who enjoy gritty, atmospheric thrillers will find the series a must read.
Having spent time abroad, Jason has lived and worked in various parts of England as well as the Scottish Highlands. He currently resides in the East Riding, with his wife and two young children.
You can reach him via his website at www.jmdalgliesh.com
You can also follow him on social media;
facebook.com/jmdalglieshauthor
twitter.com/darkyorkshire
He is presently writing the Dark Yorkshire crime-series, featuring DI Nathaniel Caslin.
The novels are set in Yorkshire, England. The medieval City of York is Caslin's home town and the plot lines take in some of the UK's most rugged and beautiful landscapes, from the windswept North Sea coastline and across the stunning North York Moors.
Penned in the style of the Crime Noir genre, Caslin is a deep character, as flawed as he is brilliant, battling his own demons as much as those he is pitted against. Readers who enjoy gritty, atmospheric thrillers will find the series a must read.
Having spent time abroad, Jason has lived and worked in various parts of England as well as the Scottish Highlands. He currently resides in the East Riding, with his wife and two young children.
You can reach him via his website at www.jmdalgliesh.com
You can also follow him on social media;
facebook.com/jmdalglieshauthor
twitter.com/darkyorkshire
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
September 4, 2025
2.5 stars rounded up
The book errs a bit too much on the personal side of the D.I. Duncan McAdam. To the point where he almost spends more time dealing with personal drama ( either because of his diva girlfriend or her very, very entitled ex with whom he shares a kid).
In addition, i am starting to question the legitimacy of his actions. He is deploying an army to save his son because he called and said "i need you" not having any clue if something is wrong or not. Which begs the question, if a stranger or someone that was not related to him would have made the same call, would he have acted the same way? Then is it okay to deploy all that manpower just because it's about his son? Where do we draw the line.
Not to mention the idea of him going to investigate the phone calls made by the victim to his ex. WITHOUT clearing that out with anyone else (least of his DS, his partner). What is this? A soap opera or a police investigation?
Zero investigation, just a hunch and a "forced" confession.
The book errs a bit too much on the personal side of the D.I. Duncan McAdam. To the point where he almost spends more time dealing with personal drama ( either because of his diva girlfriend or her very, very entitled ex with whom he shares a kid).
In addition, i am starting to question the legitimacy of his actions. He is deploying an army to save his son because he called and said "i need you" not having any clue if something is wrong or not. Which begs the question, if a stranger or someone that was not related to him would have made the same call, would he have acted the same way? Then is it okay to deploy all that manpower just because it's about his son? Where do we draw the line.
Not to mention the idea of him going to investigate the phone calls made by the victim to his ex. WITHOUT clearing that out with anyone else (least of his DS, his partner). What is this? A soap opera or a police investigation?
Zero investigation, just a hunch and a "forced" confession.
September 6, 2025
This seems to be the 13th book from this author that I have now read, but in this case not an unlucky 13. The action and characters were perfectly choreographed to make for a jolly engaging read. I won't turn down the opportunity to read more from this author.
I can now head out for Taste of Chicago in a good mood with something of a healthy appetite as all's well that ends well. At times during the dramatic action I feared the worst would happen. For some it did, of course.
Whoops - forgot to mention how very much I enjoyed the Skye setting!
Kindle Unlimited
I can now head out for Taste of Chicago in a good mood with something of a healthy appetite as all's well that ends well. At times during the dramatic action I feared the worst would happen. For some it did, of course.
Whoops - forgot to mention how very much I enjoyed the Skye setting!
Kindle Unlimited
August 25, 2025
I always enjoy the story telling in this series but this one needs some serious editing.
August 30, 2025
No complaints from me on this one. If there were continuity issues they passed me by, I just wanted it sorted and ending well for Duncan, his family and friends. Engaging, no stereotypes ( maybe the manored family comes close, but even there it’s not clear cut) and a cracking good read on a cold afternoon.
Read
September 1, 2025The book did not disappoint and I didn't suspect the villain until the last chapter (A bit too late, I hear you cry!)
The misty Isles is a series with personal problems for Duncan McAdam as well the expected problems about killers and I like the contrast. Recommend this as a good read.
The misty Isles is a series with personal problems for Duncan McAdam as well the expected problems about killers and I like the contrast. Recommend this as a good read.
August 18, 2025
Every book is his best ever!
I have poured out so many words of praise for J M Dalgliesh in all if the series’ he has written but I will admit that the Misty Isle books are my special favourites.
As a Scot I love that he chose Skye as the setting. I feel I could probably get around now with a ferry timetable and a 4x4; definitely a 4 x4.
This book is a sit down and read in one go. It is not possible to set it down for a wee while in case something happens to it.
The baddies. So many baddies some not quite as bad as others but baddies nonetheless.
The occasional wee dig about closing A&E departments and cutting down the time allocated for carers (Jason for PM) just to keep things real. Then even more baddies.
Tell me then, as the baddies were dragged off to get what they deserved, why was I crying?
I have poured out so many words of praise for J M Dalgliesh in all if the series’ he has written but I will admit that the Misty Isle books are my special favourites.
As a Scot I love that he chose Skye as the setting. I feel I could probably get around now with a ferry timetable and a 4x4; definitely a 4 x4.
This book is a sit down and read in one go. It is not possible to set it down for a wee while in case something happens to it.
The baddies. So many baddies some not quite as bad as others but baddies nonetheless.
The occasional wee dig about closing A&E departments and cutting down the time allocated for carers (Jason for PM) just to keep things real. Then even more baddies.
Tell me then, as the baddies were dragged off to get what they deserved, why was I crying?
August 21, 2025
While the series has been a solid 4-star for me, I had to withhold one star for this one, because ...
* some redundant, even repetitive descriptions and reflections. "The Hall had not changed since his last visit." Really? The last visit was three days ago, or so. We got a description of the house that first time. Nonetheless, we get yet another description in almost as much detail and almost the same words.
* some recurrent characters and themes begin to chafe. Becky is just obnoxious, has been so from the start, and you only can deplore the MC's poor judgement at the time. The obsession with the father-thing is overblown. (hey, wee Duncan, if you want a child that badly, make one).
* by now, we know that every lead that points to organised mainland crime will be a red herring, because the author wants to keep the investigation and the solution strictly insular and in McAdam's hands. That adds quite a lot of redundancy and predictability, alas, and a lot of loose threads dangling out from the last page.
* the first act - the original crime - is spectacular. I understand the author could not resist the drama and the mystery. Unfortunately, it is never sufficiently explained or motivated. That spoils the pleasure. Note to authors: be careful what you invent in the first chapter, because you will have to explain it in the last, and your readers will not have forgotten the details - even if you have.
The three stars (instead of two) are due to the fact that I really like the series. I hope that the author will take a deep breath, and some time out, to return to the quality of the earlier instalments.
* some redundant, even repetitive descriptions and reflections. "The Hall had not changed since his last visit." Really? The last visit was three days ago, or so. We got a description of the house that first time. Nonetheless, we get yet another description in almost as much detail and almost the same words.
* some recurrent characters and themes begin to chafe. Becky is just obnoxious, has been so from the start, and you only can deplore the MC's poor judgement at the time. The obsession with the father-thing is overblown. (hey, wee Duncan, if you want a child that badly, make one).
* by now, we know that every lead that points to organised mainland crime will be a red herring, because the author wants to keep the investigation and the solution strictly insular and in McAdam's hands. That adds quite a lot of redundancy and predictability, alas, and a lot of loose threads dangling out from the last page.
* the first act - the original crime - is spectacular. I understand the author could not resist the drama and the mystery. Unfortunately, it is never sufficiently explained or motivated. That spoils the pleasure. Note to authors: be careful what you invent in the first chapter, because you will have to explain it in the last, and your readers will not have forgotten the details - even if you have.
The three stars (instead of two) are due to the fact that I really like the series. I hope that the author will take a deep breath, and some time out, to return to the quality of the earlier instalments.
August 21, 2025
Seething Skye
As a tourist place it is so picturesque and magnificent. As a murder mystery it is full of drama but the landscape is part of the story too. I still feel damp from the various rains. I love the character development. I was certain who the villain was from the very beginning but it did not detract from the story at all. There were so many fingers in the pot, so many nuances, past and present that the story kept going forward. I love his Norfolk series, but the author has a way with the Scottishness of a good yarn. I love feeling like i have revisited some old haunts. And that it feels the same. It left on a personal cliffhanger, so there will be another story.
As a tourist place it is so picturesque and magnificent. As a murder mystery it is full of drama but the landscape is part of the story too. I still feel damp from the various rains. I love the character development. I was certain who the villain was from the very beginning but it did not detract from the story at all. There were so many fingers in the pot, so many nuances, past and present that the story kept going forward. I love his Norfolk series, but the author has a way with the Scottishness of a good yarn. I love feeling like i have revisited some old haunts. And that it feels the same. It left on a personal cliffhanger, so there will be another story.
August 18, 2025
This is best yet in this series. It starts with the Skye Ball, which is a version of a debutante ball. Blair Sutherland is seen jumping into the water, by his fiancée, as is custom at the end of the night, but he doesn’t surface or come back out. A full search is organised.
The next day a body is found by the Lighthouse at Neist Point, it is Blair Sutherland, but how did he get there?
Duncan and the team need to investigate, the case though twists and with plenty of unexpected turns.
An excellent read.
The next day a body is found by the Lighthouse at Neist Point, it is Blair Sutherland, but how did he get there?
Duncan and the team need to investigate, the case though twists and with plenty of unexpected turns.
An excellent read.
August 21, 2025
Death At Neist Point - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
Death At Neist Point, J.M. Dalgliesh's thrilling whodunit...? centres on DI Duncan McAdam's latest case - the murder of a local estate's heir.
Links to past events in the wider family are mingled with Duncan's own complicated family relationships throughout.
Lots of intense action, a great storyline with many twists and turns, multi-layered characters, wild outdoor scenery...Death At Neist Point has them all and more.
Get a copy today and clear your diary, as you won't want to be disturbed!
Death At Neist Point, J.M. Dalgliesh's thrilling whodunit...? centres on DI Duncan McAdam's latest case - the murder of a local estate's heir.
Links to past events in the wider family are mingled with Duncan's own complicated family relationships throughout.
Lots of intense action, a great storyline with many twists and turns, multi-layered characters, wild outdoor scenery...Death At Neist Point has them all and more.
Get a copy today and clear your diary, as you won't want to be disturbed!
August 18, 2025
Duncan is called in to solve a mystery disappearance. What had been a very happy party of youngsters plunging into the sea after a rollicking good time, turns into tragedy when one boy disappears. Then on the other side of Skye, a dead body turns up on top of a very steep cliff. Our author has a devious mind and you will be pushed to work out the mystery as the baffled reader! Enjoy Duncan really putting down roots in his homeland.
August 26, 2025
Now read all the Misty Isles books and Neish Point in just a few days. Surely JM has left the door open with his son asking the question, to continue. Full of intrigue and how it was all brought together. Loved being able from Australia to find the places on MAPS. Having been there. As usual, the weather gets a good mention. So JM when the next one. I did read all the Norfolk and York series so you can see I love his writing.
August 23, 2025
These are never long enough, and waiting for the next is too hard!
These mysteries are just so entertaining, a joy to read. D.I. Duncan, and his amazing crew solve the worse crimes, for the Isle of Skye!
Well written murder mysteries, great police work, fascinating characters, and very interesting cast of supporting characters!
I highly recommend these books!
These mysteries are just so entertaining, a joy to read. D.I. Duncan, and his amazing crew solve the worse crimes, for the Isle of Skye!
Well written murder mysteries, great police work, fascinating characters, and very interesting cast of supporting characters!
I highly recommend these books!
August 29, 2025
This is a brilliant written book 6 in The Misty Isle series. It had me hooked from start to finish in this well written gripping, twisty storyline and plot. It kept me intrigued and guessing, and I was slightly right but was fooled by the twists, red herrings, and the twisty ending.
It has strong, interesting characters, and I particularly like D.I.Duncan McAdam and his attitude of not letting anything get in his way of solving a case.
I've read and thoroughly enjoyed all the books in this series and very much look forward to the next one.
As J. M. Dalgliesh is one of my favourite authors, and I enjoy reading his books. As with this one, I always pre-order his books, as I wouldn't want to miss one.
My thanks to the author for the advanced copy. This is my honest and unbiased review of this book.
It has strong, interesting characters, and I particularly like D.I.Duncan McAdam and his attitude of not letting anything get in his way of solving a case.
I've read and thoroughly enjoyed all the books in this series and very much look forward to the next one.
As J. M. Dalgliesh is one of my favourite authors, and I enjoy reading his books. As with this one, I always pre-order his books, as I wouldn't want to miss one.
My thanks to the author for the advanced copy. This is my honest and unbiased review of this book.
August 24, 2025
BEST READ EVER
I read this book tonight and I finished this book tonight. I have never done that in all my years of reading. The story just flows along in each chapter getting better and better a really great story line with a wonderful finish.
The best one yet Mr Dalgleish
Thank you
I read this book tonight and I finished this book tonight. I have never done that in all my years of reading. The story just flows along in each chapter getting better and better a really great story line with a wonderful finish.
The best one yet Mr Dalgleish
Thank you
August 31, 2025
Another cracking read from Mr Dalgleish! So many twists, turns, and red herrings. This series just gets better and better. The interactions between the team are comical at times and the underlying story of Duncan McAdam's convoluted love life is getting more interesting with each book. That cliff hanger at the end was a corker! Looking forward to the next one.
August 18, 2025
A young man disappears after the annual Syke Ball only for his body to be discovered, half naked on the other side of the island. How did his body get there, and by who and why. DI Duncan McAdam and his team investigate .
An entertaining and well-written modern mystery with its cast of likeable and interesting characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
I received a free copy of this book from the author via BooksFunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.
An entertaining and well-written modern mystery with its cast of likeable and interesting characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
I received a free copy of this book from the author via BooksFunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 19, 2025
This latest Skye novel has managed to surpass all the other high benchmarks set by the previous books in the series. The pace of the narrative made it difficult to stop reading until the end of the story. The outcome was a complete and sad surprise. I am looking forward to the next book.
August 19, 2025
Another great read!
Another great read in this series from J M Dalgliesh! Great plot and development of the regular characters in this series and the twists in the story keep you on your toes! Would recommend this and the previous books in The Misty Isle series.
Another great read in this series from J M Dalgliesh! Great plot and development of the regular characters in this series and the twists in the story keep you on your toes! Would recommend this and the previous books in The Misty Isle series.
August 20, 2025
D.I. Duncan McAdamhad and his team had an interesting new case in this sixth book in Misty Isle series. The criminal case was enjoyable and pulling. I just wish Duncan's biological son would get know the truth.
August 21, 2025
Death at Neist Point
Brilliantly written as always J M, I couldn’t put the book down.Twists & turns, red herrings & everything else you expect from a creative writer. But the skill & storylines are great.
Brilliantly written as always J M, I couldn’t put the book down.Twists & turns, red herrings & everything else you expect from a creative writer. But the skill & storylines are great.
August 22, 2025
his books never disappoint
I have loved every novel that J M Dalgliesh has written. I am looking forward to many more! His characters seem so real, I love to see them as they age and their lives continue.
I have loved every novel that J M Dalgliesh has written. I am looking forward to many more! His characters seem so real, I love to see them as they age and their lives continue.
August 27, 2025
Another Great Read!!
I love this author- the way he includes traditions, culture, mystery, and romance all together for the reader to be drawn in. I’d love to see more depth to Duncan… more temptation, more hobbies, more physical depth developed. But I love the series!
I love this author- the way he includes traditions, culture, mystery, and romance all together for the reader to be drawn in. I’d love to see more depth to Duncan… more temptation, more hobbies, more physical depth developed. But I love the series!
August 28, 2025
A Wonderful Mystery!
A lot of what's happened in previous books in this series is brought to a very satisfactory conclusion in this mystery. Really enjoy these books. Love authors writing style.
A lot of what's happened in previous books in this series is brought to a very satisfactory conclusion in this mystery. Really enjoy these books. Love authors writing style.
August 29, 2025
Great read
This series of books has been really entertaining, full of twists and turns with a good story and interesting back story for the main characters. Cannot wait for the next one. Highly recommended.
This series of books has been really entertaining, full of twists and turns with a good story and interesting back story for the main characters. Cannot wait for the next one. Highly recommended.
August 30, 2025
This was a good episode in the series. The plot was interesting, with several twists to keep me guessing. Duncan has the annoying habit of not telling his fellow officers what he is thinking. This is a problem for the leader. I do not like cliffhangers, so the ending was not special for me.
August 30, 2025
Parallel lives
The Skye Ball kicks off with a missing boy, later found but murdered. Duncan chased it through and finds mystery and intrigue fuelled by a love of getting inheritance. It all comes together.
The Skye Ball kicks off with a missing boy, later found but murdered. Duncan chased it through and finds mystery and intrigue fuelled by a love of getting inheritance. It all comes together.
September 1, 2025
Mystery incomplete but why not complete?
Well done! What is yet to define however is the disposition of the ambiguities of a "questionable nurse". All vagueness of h past simply identifided yet it exposed?
Well done! What is yet to define however is the disposition of the ambiguities of a "questionable nurse". All vagueness of h past simply identifided yet it exposed?
September 2, 2025
Another Brilliant Book By This Author
Really enjoyed reading this book and was exceptional,now looking forward to the next instalment,not to be missed,excellent ending ,and great author
Really enjoyed reading this book and was exceptional,now looking forward to the next instalment,not to be missed,excellent ending ,and great author
August 20, 2025
Excellent!
Totally imposible to put down. It’s packed with action. The characters are really good and unpredictable. The ending great. I can’t wait for the next one!
Totally imposible to put down. It’s packed with action. The characters are really good and unpredictable. The ending great. I can’t wait for the next one!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews